The door of autopsy opened and Kate stepped inside.

"Ah hello Caitlin." Ducky said.

"Hey Ducky. Gibbs told me to get the autopsy report.

"Ah yes I have it here. I forgot to give it to Anthony yesterday while he was here." Ducky said as he gave her the file.

"Oh yes how did the talk go?" Kate asked curiously as she sat down. Ducky smiled and gave her a cup of tea.

"It went fine."

"Oh good. I hadn't had the chance to ask Tony. Is he still fine to be back in the field the day after tomorrow?" She asked concerned. She hated that Tony didn't tell her anything.

"Why are you asking all those questions about Anthony Caitlin? You never had that many before. I also noticed it in the bullpen yesterday." Ducky asked while he drank his tea.

Kate was silent for a moment. Before she took a deep breath. "It's just different you know. When he changed something changed if you know what I mean. He was so little. All you wanted to do was to protect him especially when we heard about his childhood. Tony was hiding a lot we noticed. I think that feeling is still there. Not that he is not strong like he used to be but he often puts on a mask. I just want to make sure he is alright and that he would tell me when not. I was an aunt then but now I am like a..."

"Big sister who is looking out for her little brother." Ducky said.

"Yes. Just like that. It's kinda funny. Tim is doing exactly the same thing as me. Only not that extreme I guess. He loved it when Tony came looking for Tim when he was little and wanted to play with him. I think he also knows now that Tony was hiding a lot more then he let on. I think not only Tony changed but the whole team changed at that moment."

"I think you're right Caitlin."

Kate smiled and looked at her watch. "Oh I need to go back upstairs. Thanks for the file Ducky and thanks for the tea." Kate said as she stood up.

"No problem Caitlin."

——————————————-

It was a week later and Tony was back in the field. A marine was shot dead. Ducky had told him about the conversation he had with Kate the other day. And now all he could think about was that conversation.

"Hey Tony you okay? You kept staring at those trees." McGee asked as he came to stand next to him.

Tony cleared his throat and shook his head to get ride of those thoughts. "Uhmm yeah fine Tim. Thought I saw something. We done with the scene?"

'Tim'? Tony called him Tim. Not McGee or probie but Tim. Tony only called him Tim when something was wrong or something was bothering him. "You sure? You know you can tell me right." He said kindly.

"Yeah yeah I know. I said I was fine. Now are we done with the scene?" Tony said annoyed.

"Yes Tony. I came to get you." McGee said a little concerned.

"Good. Come on probie." Tony said as he clapped him on the back and walked to the rest of the team.

Tim sighs and followed him. Kate saw the look on his face and walked to him. "What's wrong? Why was Tony looking at those trees? Did he saw something?" She asked.

"Nope didn't see anything. Said he was fine but..."

"You don't believe him." Kate finished.

"He called me Tim, Kate. 'Yeah I am fine Tim' that was what he said before he cleared his throat and shook his head. He is hiding something." Tim said softly.

"We keep an eye on him." She whispers before they stepped inside the van.

—————————————

Gibbs could feel the atmosphere in the bullpen. It was too quiet. Gibbs decided to get some coffee before he would ask what was going on.

"Out for coffee." Gibbs said shortly before he left.

"There a reason you both keep staring at me all morning? Tony asked frustrated.

"You called me Tim" McGee said.

Tony looked confused. "That's your name probie. Or did I forgot a memo that you changed it?"

"No you didn't forgot a memo!" Tim said angry as he stood up. "There was something wrong or you were bother by something and you wouldn't tell me and then I knew for sure because you called me Tim."

Tony now also stood up. "Would it help if I said 'yeah I am fine probie'. Is that what you wanted to hear? Well I am sorry for calling you by your name!"

"Tony, he was just concerned." Kate said calmly.

"Because I called him Tim?" Tony asked Kate in disbelief.

"You forget the whole point. I just wanted that you would talk to me!" McGee said.

"I talk to you every day."

"You speak but don't talk. Something is bothering you all week. I just wanted that you would talk to me so that I or we could help you." McGee said.

Tony shook his head. Kate he knew could do those things but now McGee? He didn't saw that coming. He needed to clear his head. "Get back to work. I am going for a walk." Tony said softly and went to the elevator.

When the elevator closed Kate and Tim looked at each other. "Well that did go well." McGee said.

"He needed to hear that. Maybe the walk will do him good." Kate said and Tim nodded before they both went back to work.

————————————-

"Hey what are you doing outside?" Gibbs asked when he saw Tony.

"Needed to clear my head." Tony said frustrated.

"Come on. Let's go for a walk you can tell me what happend in the bullpen." Gibbs said when he saw the look on Tony's face. While they walked Tony told him all about the conversation.

They found a bench and sat down. "So what's bothering you all week?" Gibbs asked.

Tony looked at him. "How you know?"

Gibbs gave him a headslap. "If even they saw it then you can be sure I saw it. Now tell me."

Tony sighs and told him about the conversation Ducky had with Kate. "So what is bothering you then?"

"They changed too. They are noticing things now they never noticed before. They want to know everything." Tony said softly.

"They are concerned."

"Yeah maybe."

"And that is making you feel how?" Gibbs asked.

"Feelings? You ask me about feelings?" Tony asked confused.

"Yes feelings. Don't beat around the bush. Now tell me." Gibbs said sternly.

Tony took a deep breath. "Scared. I am not used to it. I could always hide but now it seems like I can't. And that also made me confused."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "Confused? Why?"

"Maybe I should come clean with them. I mean if I can't hide everything anymore and they noticed things. Maybe I should just tell them. They changed." Tony said carefully.

"It's always your choice in the end Tony. It's your decision who can know."

"What do you think?" Tony asked.

"Like I said it is your choice. No matter what you decide I will support you. You have to do what you think that is right. What gives you peace."

Tony was silent and thought for a couple of minutes. He kept looking in the distance. Suddenly Tony stood up. "I think I should tell them. If they already noticing this little things then I am sure they would notice more things."

"Alright. When do you want to tell them?" Gibbs asked as he also stood up.

"Now."

"Now?" Gibbs asked confused.

"Yes now. They are distracted."

"Why don't we tell them at the end of the day. Besides you first have to talk to the director. And do you really think they will focus when you tell them this now?" Gibbs said.

"Uhmm you got a point. Okay we follow your lead."

"Glad you agree. Come on time time to go back." Gibbs said and clapped Tony in the shoulder.

—————————-

"What do we got?" Gibbs asked when he enters the bullpen. Instead of following Gibbs, Tony walked to the stairs to the director's office.

"Where is Tony going?" McGee asked curiously.

"He has an appointment with the director. Now what do we got?" Gibbs asked impatiently.

"The dead Navi Officer was last seen at home when..." Kate begins but was cut of by Tim.

"The director? Why? Because of me? Because of the conversation? I just..." McGee begins stressful.

Gibbs rolled his eyes and sighs. "He already had that appointment and no Tim he is not there because of you."

"You sure? He was upset..."

"I am sure. And I know about the conversation. Now can we focus on the dead marine?" Gibbs questioned.

"Uhm sure. Uhmm I looked at his bank account and it looks like he was broke. A lot of debts also. In the past couple of months he took a lot of money. So maybe drugs?" McGee said.

"I looked at his phone record and he was called a lot of times a day but especially by this guy. Henry Fyl. I listened to his voicemail and this Henry guy was treating him." Kate said.

"Looks like a motive. Where is this Henry guy now? What do we know about him?" Gibbs asked as he sipped his coffee.

Kate and McGee looked at each other. "Uhm boss we didn't..."

Gibbs sighs." Well find out. I am going to Ducky. See what he has find out." Just as he said that he saw Tony coming down the stairs. Tony nodded at him that it was okay. "Fill DiNozzo in. You got two hours." Gibbs said before he left.

"Uhmm fill me in on what?" Tony asked as he sat down at his desk and Kate told him what they found out and what information they missed.

"Okay I will do a background check." Tony said. Kate nodded and sat down at her own desk. McGee came softly to Tony desk and stood besides him.

"Can I help you?" Tony asked confused when Tim didn't say anything.

"Uhmm I just wanted to say I was sorry. I uhm I was out of line. I hope it did go well with the director. I am really sorry that I made you mad." McGee said.

Tony started at him for a moment. Why was he nervous, he wondered. Then it clicked in his head. "I didn't go to the director because of you probie. I already had an appointment. We just had a conversation."

"You were angry Tony."

"So were you Tim."

"Yes you were both angry. Conversation is over now. We bickering all the time. Can we go back to work? We need to have information in 1,5 hours." Kate's said frustrated.

"Of course Katie. Your wish is my command." Tony said playful and McGee grinned as he walked back to his desk.

"Stop calling me Katie!" Kate said angry and Tony laughed.

—————————-

"He was killed by a single gunshot to the head. Abby is looking for prints as we speak. I also took his blood. Abby also have it." Ducky said.

"Thanks Ducky." Gibbs said and looked at Ducky.

"Something else you want to ask me Jethro?" Ducky asked curiously.

"Tony wants to tell the others. He thinks they know too much now. They see little details he always could hide. He says they changed." Gibbs said.

"Ah that is why he was so distracted. But he is right, they did changed. They are more concerned about Anthony's wellbeing and want to protect him if possible. What do you think?" Ducky said.

"I said it was his choice. I said he needs to do what gave him peace."

"Not what I asked Jethro."

Gibbs sighs. "I am not against it. It's just..." Gibbs ran his hand through is hair. "I don't know. Maybe I worry too much."

"You're worried he might could get hurt. Jethro you will protect him and be there for him. You can't always predict if something might happen. As long as you will be there for him." Ducky said kindly.

"Thanks Ducky. I think this case will be close soon. Tony wants to tell them at the end of the day. I will let you know when and where." Gibbs said as he left to go to Abby.

——————-

"So I got a match on the fingerprints. Henry Fyl. They are all over the place. He did a good job at cleaning the gun but he missed one little tiny spot. I guess he is your killer Boss-man. I also got the results back from the blood I analyzed. Our marine was taking drugs."

"Good work Abbs. I think we already got enough evidence against him." Gibbs said as he gave her a kiss on her cheek and left to go to the bullpen.

———————

"Hey Boss. Looks like our Henry is not a nice guy. He was arrested a couple of times for arms trade and dealing drugs. I guess we can put murder on his list now." Tony said.

"I also looked at a surveillance camera where he was seen dealing drugs. And look who also came there." McGee said as he let the video play on the screen.

"Our dead marine" Gibbs said.

"Yes. We had an eyewitness who said they got in a big fight the night before his murder." Kate said.

"We got enough to arrest him. Abby found Henry's fingerprints on the gun. Also his prints were all over the place. There are probably not a lot defensive wounds because he had drugs in his system."

"So time to go get him." Tony said as he stood up and took his gun and backpack. Kate and McGee followed.

"Let's go" Gibbs said and walked to the elevator.

——————————————

"I think this was the easiest case we ever had." McGee said with a smile.

"I think your right probie. The boss gave him one look and BAM he confessed." Tony said laughing.

"It was probably his first kill. Why else would you cry and being a tough guy. Doesn't make sense." Kate said.

"Boss can let everyone cry. Isn't that hard for him." Tony said.

"Is that right DiNozzo?" Gibbs said as he enters the bullpen.

"Oh uhmm he was just asking for it. You know." Tony said quickly and Kate and Tim grinned.

Gibbs gave Tony a silent conversation with his eyes if he still wanted to do it. Tony silently nodded.

"Alright. Pizza my house 1900 hours. Need to discuss something with you all in private." Gibbs said.

"Uhmm boss?" McGee asked confused.

"Is it something bad?" Kate asked.

"1900 hours." Gibbs said shortly and went downstairs to tell Abby and Ducky.

"Uhmm that was strange." McGee said.

"You know something." Kate said to Tony who was silently finishing his report.

"Yep see you at the Boss-mans house." Tony said as he closed the file and took his things.

Kate and McGee stared at each other. "Okay that was even more strange. Now I want it to be 1900 hours." McGee said and Kate nodded.